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The Turkish city of Iskenderun after earthquake
Photo: IMAGO/Serdar Ozsoy - Depo Photos / IMAGO/Depo Photos
There are desperate calls that Baden-Württemberg's state parliament president Muhterem Aras (Greens) describes.
"Why can't we bring our parents from Turkey to Germany with us?" someone from Stuttgart wanted to know from her.
His parents' house in the Turkish city of Malatya was completely destroyed by the earthquake, and he has plenty of space in his Swabian home.
The Stuttgarter's parents are not allowed to enter the country without a visa, says Aras.
Obtaining a visa is time-consuming, involves an on-site appointment at an issuing office and, given the catastrophic situation in the country, is hopeless anyway.
"A pragmatic solution is needed," demands the Turkish-born President of the Landtag, who has already written to the Federal Foreign Office.
"We should unbureaucratically open the door to Germany for those affected by the earthquake," says Aras.
She proposes introducing a three-month residence permit and temporarily forgoing a visa.
"Provided that the relatives living here sign a declaration of commitment that they will bear the costs incurred." She is not concerned with state aid or housing for the homeless, but with "a strong humanitarian signal," says Aras.
"It must be possible to bring your own parents to Germany from the earthquake area." The temporary residence permit should apply to both Turkish and Syrian nationals.
SPD MP Karaahmetoğlu: “Humanity must take precedence over bureaucracy”
The SPD member of the Bundestag Macit Karaahmetoğlu is also committed to a quick regulation.
"Humanity must take precedence over bureaucracy," the Turkish-born parliamentarian told SPIEGEL.
He had received several inquiries from people in Germany who wanted to help their relatives in Turkey.
It is in the hands of the interior and foreign ministries to enable admission at short notice.
"That would be a turning point in German migration policy," says Karaahmetoglu and hopes for this despite the "legal tour de force" to be expected.
Especially since many people in the earthquake area are still completely on their own - and in the freezing cold without a roof over their heads.
Support comes from the Frankfurt state parliament member Turgut Yüksel.
"The prerequisite for this should be that relatives living in Germany submit a declaration of commitment to pay for all costs incurred," wrote the politician on his website.
Yüksel had met with representatives of Turkish communities, associations and clubs in Hesse over the past few days to talk about joint relief measures.
"Here in Germany there are many family members and relatives who would like to help their family members and would also be willing to finance their stay in Germany," he said.
"For humanitarian reasons, visas should be issued unbureaucratically to this group of people once the declaration of commitment has been submitted."
Thousands of people died in the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, many were injured or are still missing.
It is difficult to provide care for those affected, especially in the Turkish-Syrian border area.
kek/dpa